Conservative right-wingers lose bid to kill off International Development Bill

There was speculation that opponents would try to kill off the legislation PA

A Bill which would guarantee minimum levels of spending on overseas aid has survived an attempt by Conservative right-wingers to torpedo it.

A handful of Tories, supported by the newly elected Ukip MP Mark Reckless, voted against proposals to enshrine in law the commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on international development.

There had been speculation that opponents would try to kill off the legislation by talking it out or tabling wrecking amendments.

But the Bill cleared the Commons with 15 minutes to spare and will continue its progress through Parliament.

David Cameron has faced Tory opposition to his determination to boost aid spending. He did not take part in the vote, although several ministers voted in favour.

Downing Street stressed that under his leadership Britain had become the first member of the G8 group of industrialised nations to achieve the 0.7 per cent target.

The 10 most conflicted countries in the world

The 10 most conflicted countries in the world

1/10
South Sudan

The world's newest country is also the least peaceful nation in the world, according to the 2014 Global Peace Index

2/10
Iraq

The rise of Isis in the country has led to much unrest and violence, with thousands displaced from the minority Yazidi sect

3/10
Somalia

The nation has been fraught with civil war and famine. Most recently the military have been fighting Islamist insurgents Al-Shabaab

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4/10
Sudan

Since the country divided into two, there has been continuing unrest. This year the Sudanese army and rebels engaged in heavy fighting near the city of Kadugli

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5/10
Central African Republic

The nation has endured a violent civil war since 2012. Last year the government fell to rebels and the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the situation in the country was precarious

Reuters

6/10
Democratic Republic of the Congo

Civil wars have kept this country high in the ranks as one of the most conflicted places on the globe

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7/10
Pakistan

Political corruption and instability have dogged Pakistan, as have conflicts with India over the disputed Kashmir region

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8/10
North Korea

Despite its secretive nature, the Communist state has ended up as one of the most conflicted nations in the world due to internal problems

Reuters/KCNA

9/10
Russia

Russia has annexed Crimea and been accused by the West of arming rebels who have taken over parts of eastern Ukraine - which has led to the ongoing conflict

Reuters

10/10
Nigeria

Since 2002 the militant Islamist movement Boko Haram has caused much violence in the country in a bid to establish Sharia law and abolish the secular government. This year the terrorist group kidnapped 276 schoolgirls, leading to international criticism of the government's lack of action

Getty Images

The Bill had been proposed by the former Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister, Michael Moore, who said it mattered because British aid “saves lives and transforms lives”.

The former International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, in his first Commons contribution since losing his libel case, said: “It’s a matter of huge pride - this Bill will hopefully reach the statute book now. It puts into operation a promise all parties in this House have made to the public. It’s not only the right thing to do but is hugely in Britain's national interest.”

But the Tory MP Philip Davies, who spoke against the measure for more than an hour, said: “For lots of people around the country, they feel that overseas aid is the taking of money from poor people in rich countries and giving it to rich people in poor countries."

Following the vote, Oxfam’s chief executive Mark Goldring said: “This commitment will mean the UK continues to lead the way in supporting lasting progress for millions hit by poverty, conflict and natural disasters.”

David Bull, Unicef’s UK executive director, said: “Britain is sending a clear signal to those facing poverty that we will continue to keep our promises to them.”